DNA research claims Ozzy is a "genetic mutant"

Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne (Image credit: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

Ozzy Osbourne has been called a “genetic mutant” after research into the rocker’s DNA was carried out.

Genetics professor Bill Sullivan delved into a study by Massachusetts-based research firm Knome from 2010 while researching his new book Pleased To Meet Me: Genes, Germs And The Curious Forces That Make Us Who We Are.

The initial study was performed using a blood sample from The Prince Of Darkness in a bid to understand how he’s managed to withstand years of drug and alcohol abuse while others can’t. 

The result, according to the New York Post, was that they discovered a previously unseen mutation which showed Ozzy has several genetic variations that predisposed him towards addiction, and that the mutation allowed the now sober Ozzy to drink in larger quantities than the average person.

Sullivan says: “Ozzy is indeed a genetic mutant,” in the book which will be released in September through National Geographic.

The publication also claims that our DNA shapes everything, from things we love and hate, our political leanings, who we’re attracted to and why “bacteria in our guts mess with our minds.” The book also claims that our grandparents’ experiences in the past also echo in our own DNA.

Sullivan adds: “A gene is one piece of a puzzle that makes up a picture. You can’t tell what that picture is going to be solely by looking at one puzzle piece.”

Ozzy, meanwhile, will return to touring in early 2020 when he resumes his No More Tours 2 dates across the UK and Europe.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.